Republican leaders to unite for key Las Vegas summit

Republican officials are set to appear in Las Vegas later this week at a meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition on the Strip.

Scheduled speakers include U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Scheduled to run from Thursday to Sunday, the sold-out “Annual Leadership Summit” will be hosted at The Venetian.

The 40-year-old organization describes itself as “the unique bridge between the Jewish Community and Republican decision-makers.”

“The Republican Jewish Coalition has a highly successful legislative affairs program, ensuring that our issues are heard on Capitol Hill,” the group said. “We lobby and advise leaders from state capitals to the U.S. Capitol.”

Nevada Republican Party Chairman Michael McDonald, a close Trump advisor, said he’s attended previous summits organized by the organization, and plans to be there this week.

He told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he expects speakers to highlight the Trump administration’s efforts to combat antisemitism and the ceasefire deal that led to the Hamas release of Israeli hostages taken during the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks.

Johnson is set to address the crowd for the third consecutive year after he attended in person in 2023 and appeared via livestream last year.

Republican Sens. Ted Cruz, Lindsey Graham, Rick Scott and Dave McCormick also were slated to give remarks. Several Republican members of congress were also scheduled.

Israel Ambassadors Danny Danon and Yechiel Leiter have speaking slots, and Mike Huckabee — the U.S. ambassador to Israel — plans to address the gathering via livestream.

President Donald Trump spoke by video during the 2024 campaign season and former Vice President Mike Pence appeared in person in 2017.

“On every level, the Republican Jewish Coalition is committed to building a strong, effective, and respected Jewish Republican voice in Washington and across the country,” according to the organization.

Contact Ricardo Torres-Cortez at rtorres@reviewjournal.com.